Cuttlebug Challenge :: 9

This week's challenge:

• create a Christmas/Holiday themed project, something other than a card

Now card making is my biz, so yes, another challenge-challenge for this girl. But I'm going sneaky on them this week and making tags! That's right TAGS, lots of tags. Also, great embellishments for ... you guessed it - cards!

I used my Cuttlebug in so many ways here.

• dry embossing using the Cuttlebug embossing folders
• cutting out the Nestabilities squares
• cutting of the tags using a Sizzix die to cut through chipboard
• cutting out scalloped circles using a Quickutz die
• cutting out scalloped circles using a Cuttlebug die to cut through chipboard

So much fun too. I had to color coordinate and add all sorts of details like the bling, heat embossing, ribbon, twine, eyelets, buttons, etc.

I even pulled out my Crop-A-Dile to cut holes through the chipboard and then add eyelets. I had put away most of my holiday stuff and this time around I discovered several items that I had not even used this season. Like the snowflake embellishment and the the star button. Ha.

Oh and my mom gave me the idea for the tags. I had cut her out some of the holiday themed Cuttlebug stuff and she's using her newly created tags on her cookies for cookie exchange.

Don't forget that you can write the 'to' and 'from' information on the back of the tag.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill, Archiver's and craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
ink: VersaMark
tag die: Sizzix
scalloped circle dies: Quickutz and Cuttlebug
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Winter Jelly and Christmas
a variety of buttons, ribbons, eyelets and other embellishments

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 8

Time for another Cuttlebug Challenge and this one was indeed a challenge. I have been working on it for a couple of weeks. I must say that after this challenge, I will leave the making of embossing folders to the makers of the Cuttlebug. And that was the challenge: to make your own embossing folder.

I did, however, finally come up w/something that I could use on a project.

I cut out some hearts using a die from CuttleKids. I then layered them inside a piece of folded plastic. I think it was the plastic from the front cover package of one of the Cuttlebug embossing folders (before they began to use a picture on the front). Then I carefully laid the cardstock on top of the row of hearts and just as carefully laid the plastic folder in my sandwich for embossing ('A' plate, 'B' plate, plastic folder and 'B' plate). I ran the sandwich through the CB and then rolled it back.

I am more proud of my felt flower than the embossing. I don't have many colors of felt, but my brown and cream are two of my favs. I originally made this flower to use for last month's Papertrey Ink. Blog Hop, but I did not use it. It ended up being a good fit for this card though.

Overall, this was a pretty simple card to make. And it's got a cute thing goin on ...

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper and fabric brad: K&Co.
die cut hearts (used for the embossing): CuttleKids
die cut flowers and circle: Sizzix
letter stickers: American Crafts
felt and ribbon: unknown
other: sewing

November Blog Hop

It's that time again. Time for Papertrey Ink's monthly Blog Hop. This month's challenge is to create a floral embellishment.

I was really looking forward to this one. Mostly due to my recent fascination w/fabric and fabric brads in particular. And boy do fabric brads look nice w/felt and fabric flowers.

I like the flower for this one. It was really easy to make. The fabric used to make the first layer is from Joann. It's actually just a swatch from the upholstery department. I matched up the fabric w/the fabric brad. The fabric brad is from K&Co. Love those. I think they have 9 for $3.99 - not too bad.

If you want to see more of my fabric flowers check out some of my previous posts:

• So Thoughtful Card
• Thank You Card
  

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Archivers and Bazzill
patterned paper and fabric brad: K&Co.
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaColor
ribbon: Michaels
fabric: Joann
felt: unknown
flower die: Sizzix

You're the Best :: 2 Sketches 4 You

For me to get in on 2 Sketches 4 You's weekly card sketch this early in the week is awesome. It is, indeed, the start of a wonderful week.

I had also intended to try emboss resist on the sentiment, but I just decided to leave it alone. This is week 4 of Stamp Camp over @ Two Peas. After I watched the resist video tutorial of the technique, I just have to try it out.

But I am excited about fabric brads. I found lots over the weekend when I unexpectedly landed in Hobby Lobby, Pizazz It (Columbus, OH), Michaels, Joann and Archivers.

Also, I really like making my own felt flowers. During my unplanned craft stops, I picked up a Sizzix flower die. I like the Sizzix and Cuttlebug dies for cutting cleanly through the felt and fabric. Sometimes I can cut through a thin piece of fabric w/a Quickutz die in the Cuttlebug - I just add a shim and run it back and forth a few times.

Well, enough chatter already. Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock and fabric: craft supply
patterned paper: K & Co.
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaMark and VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
fabric brad: The Paper Studio/Hobby Lobby
ribbon: Morex
flower dies: Cuttlebug and Sizzix
felt: unknown
other: sewing

Thank You :: Color Inspiration 30

Well, if you ask me how excited I am about this card and I will tell you "uber excited"! And let me tell you why. I absolutely love the flower and the mini folder.

First of all, I am using Krista Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge. This week's colors were Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand and Whisper White. I love, love, love olive. So it was easy for me to coordinate for this challenge. The problem for me is the picture. I may replace it if I can produce an image that showcases the colors more vibrantly.

But my new favorite thing is fabric buttons. I went to a handmade craft fair this past weekend and lots of vendors had them. Then I went to etsy and saw even more wonderful fabric buttons. Check out these from Fabric Farrago.

So I mentioned the fabric buttons to my mom who immediately said that Joanns has the buttons covers used to make your own fabric buttons. Guess who made a trip to Joanns? That would be me. I got the buttons covers along w/a Sizzix Hello Kitty die - the outer layer of the flower. You will more than likely see more of these flowers on more and more of my cards. I like choosing my own fabric and even stamping on the fabric and making my own buttons. Now I just need to find a place that sells the buttons covers by the bag full. Watch out.

Oh, and I got the idea to use the Quickutz mini folder from Card-A-Licious; that's their challenge this week.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: K&Company
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
ribbon: Michaels
mini folder die cut: Quickutz
flower die cuts: Sizzix and Cuttlebug
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
felt: unknown
button cover: Dritz
other: fabric

Friendship :: 2 Sketches 4 You

Okay, so I am back to producing cards for single challenges, at least this week. The other day I managed to create one card using three different challenges.

For today's post, I'm focused on this week's 2 Sketches 4 You card sketch. It was nicely produced by Kazan. I like it, but I decided to go simple for this one. And that means so sewing, no torn or distressed edges, etc.

I did manage to use some plastic. Plastic from a milk jug. I used that to make the flower. Then I ran it through the Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots folder. And finally, I added some patterned paper to the back of it. But I think it's that fat button that really sets it off.

My bow making is still a work in progress. I keep trying. I am tying like I tie my shoes and I do believe that is the problem. This bow looks okay. I'm just afraid that I will unravel. Oh, and I do like the look of the off-white heat embossing on the patterned paper.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company
ribbon: Morex
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
button: Bazzill
floss: DMC
flower die: Sizzix
border punch: Martha Stewart/EK Success
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Color Inspiration 27 and cps :: 87

I'm just a bit behind in getting this done and posting. So much so that this week's winner has already been posted for the Color Inspiration. But it's not always about winning, now is it? Besides this card fulfills not one, but two challenges. Actually, the card is also based on this week's Card Positioning Systems sketch.

The Color Inspiration Challenge is very cool. Helps me to diversify my color palette. Otherwise, I'd only use olive green and brown. This week's color was red or pink as the main color.

I'm sort of feeling this card. I used up some scraps. I also made it open face. I like my interpretation of the cps sketch because I did not follow the sketch inch for inch.

Well, I am swamped ... thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply and Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey and K&Co.
epoxy embellishment and alphabet stamps: Making Memories
heart die cut: Sizzix
heart button: Dress It Up
button: Foof a la
ribbon: Creative Impression
ink: StazOn
paper flower: Prima
twine: Darice
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Script Texture
other: sewing

Happy Birthday :: sketch this 70 / Color Inspiration 25

I haven't been over the sketch this in a bit, so I popped over to see what this week's sketch looked like. Nice enough for me. I was able to pull this card together in no time.

I'm doubling up on this card because I also checked out Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge. This was kinda cool too. There are four colors, but I only managed to get in three of the four.

Here's the thing about this card, the flowers are so likable. For the sheer flower, I used a milk jug. That's right, I rinsed it out and let it dry, and then I cut out the flat panels. I took my Sizzix flower die and ran it through my Cuttlebug and wah lah! I wanted to add some alcohol inks, but I was not in the mood to experiment and/or make a mess.

I'm also liking that 'happy birthday' epoxy. It's from Making Memories. Finally, the other flower gets some cool points too. Mainly because of the metal embellishment in the center. It's from K&Co. Just adds a nice touch.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock, button and paper flower: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
metal embellishment: K&Co.
epoxy sentiment: Making Memories
flower die cut: Sizzix
rick rack: Creative Impression
floss: DMC
other: sewing, staples and plastic milk jug

Thanks :: 2 Sketches 4 You

It's funny, most of my cards from the 2 Sketches 4 You sketches are Thanks and Thank You cards. That is so unintentional, yet interesting and funny to me.

What is also funny, how my card turned out based on the sketch. It does not totally match up, but these things are up for interpretation, right? I thought that the vertical pattern on the paper was complimentary to the vertical sections in the sketch. As for the two circles @ the bottom of the sketch, I wanted to add another flower, but the one is plenty.


Speaking of the flower, I used a Sizzix die and cut it from Fun Foam. Love that bling too. It's from Joann/CK. The sentiment is a $1 stamp from Micheals. I was going to stamp in like a pink, but that Tim Holtz Weathered Wood nearly matches the flourish underneath it; I love it when these things work out.

What almost did not work out was the sewing. I used some craft thread in the sewing machine, but I did not adjust the tension, so the first panel that I made got all ripped up. Note to self: do the sewing first and the stamping last when possible.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: Making Memories
fun foam: unknown
flower die: Sizzix
bling: Joann/CK
stamp: Michaels $1
other: sewing

Thank You :: 2 Sketches 4 You Bonus Sketch

I've somehow managed to carve out plenty of crafting time this week. Possibly to make up for not crafting at all last week.

This week on the 2 Sketches 4 You blog, they have a bonus sketch. I like that circle; I'm just attracted to it. So I quickly jumped to make a card. That little tag is cute too. I put some bling on the flower on the tag, but I don't know if it will stay that way. I wanted something flat that would slide in and out.

I used Basic Grey's Periphery. It's a bit bland and dreary, but I'm really smitten w/it. I found it on sale at Pat Catan's for .25 cents a sheet. Nice get, so I got it, and lots of it.

Well, enough chatter ... thanks for looking, here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
patterned paper: Basic Grey
ink: VersaMark, VersaMagic and Tim Holtz/Ranger
stamps: Hero Arts (many many thanks) and ??? (thank you)
ribbon: Michaels and Offray
tag die cut: Sizzix
heart die cut: Cuttlekids
flower punch: EK Success
bling: Darice
other: sewing

Simple Things :: cps 77

I finally got around to making a card based on this week's Card Positioning Systems (CPS) sketch. Their sponsor is Inque. I meant to use some of the Inque Boutique stamps that I have, but as you can see I did not do any stamping on this one.

It's a good looking card, I'll say for myself. At least one that I like. I did not like the first row of stitching when I started and I almost ditched the whole thing. But I kept sewing. I thought that the stitch was too wide. And I used craft thread, which is a bit thicker and the stitches need to be further apart.

I'm really into the grungy look = distressed edges. I pulled out the old guitar picks from AMM and the old American Crafts ribbon too. Good stuff. Using up the stash. Oh, this is an open-faced card.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:

cardstock and colored chipboard: Die Cuts With A View (DCWV)

patterned paper: Basic Grey and K&Co.

flower die cut: Sizzix

guitar pick: AMM

ribbon: American Crafts

heart die cut: CuttleKids

embellishment: Dress It Up

other: distresser and sewing machine

Happy 4th of July and cps :: 71

Happy 4th of July Americans! Nice to have a day to celebrate our independence.

So I'm back in the saddle and producing a trough of cards. I joined a group on Splitcoast Stampers called RAK (random acts of kindness). It's pretty much means just that - we send out cards to other group members as a random act of kindness, oh, and for birthdays too. Which is why I made this card using this week's Card Positioning Systems (cps) sketch.

Here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
ribbon: Michaels
stamp: Heidi Swapp
ink: VersaMagic
scalloped ovals: Nestabilities
flower die cut: Sizzix
chipboard: DCWV
button: Dress It Up
flower bling: Hero Arts
floss: DMC

All About the Pink & Black

Such a cute color combination. I was surprised when I purchased the DCWV (Die Cuts With A View) paper pack called All That Glitters. I like a little bling, but not over the top. I had intended to give the pack away as a gift, but as I flipped through it, I got some ideas and I said, you know I'm going to keep this one.

So I finally got around to using it. It's another mini card set (2 @ 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 and 1 @ 4 x 4). I like the minis and I have some envelopes that they fit in as well. I guess I could make some envelopes too, huh?

Here are the goods:
card base: Bazzill and craft supply
cardstock: DCWV's The All Dressed Up Matstack and craft supply
ribbon: Michaels
rick rack: The Paper Studio
Circle punch: EK Success and Sizzix
sentiments: Making Memories
black chipboard: craft supply
rhinestone flowers: Dress It Up
additional bling: unknown

What a deal on these dies!

I was trolling the web the other day when I stumbled across $3 dies on the Sizzix site. I dropped one in the cart; then two ... and the next thing I know I'm up to $25 for five dies. One is a large heart, which I've used the already. The others are a frame, a small envelope, stars (in 3 sizes) and a mini file folder.

Good stuff.

I use my dies in the Cuttlebug. I really like the dies that cut through chipboard.